Phrase has it there’s a secret tunnel that runs beneath the resort to the palace, however then, that’s no shock as this resort has a wealthy historical past that features royalty, and King Charles III simply occurs to be a neighbor.
A quaint and discreet 5-star resort that oozes regal allure, it’s a singular property with a singular historical past. Positioned simply off St. Jame’s Place, an space inside Westminster that’s famed for its Royal Warrant holder purveyors, DUKES London additionally sits alongside distinguished members golf equipment, eateries, and galleries which are a agency favourite amongst writers, musicians, politicians, and royalty.
In addition to its location, the resort is understood for its acute consideration to element and heightened stage of service that sees friends depart as a pal, and undoubtedly return. Then there are its refined suites, the all-day eating spot within the type of the Nice British Restaurant, and the notorious DUKES Bar with its martini that’s mentioned to have impressed Sir Ian Fleming. There’s a variety of historical past wrapped up on this resort and it makes for a wonderful keep that highlights excellence throughout the sector, and the very best of British.
On the helm of this 5-star institution is Normal Supervisor, Michael James Purtill, who has a wealth of expertise with the luxurious hospitality trade. Since his function appointment in April, he has been rising the workforce while reinforcing this boutique resort’s quintessential British enchantment, and there’s extra to come back. Purtill shares his perception into this refined resort.
What’s the resort’s USP?
Nestled within the coronary heart of historic St. James’s, DUKES London is a complicated, luxurious resort. A discrete elegant vacation spot within the heart of London, however away from the hustle and bustle, the place our friends can create eternal reminiscences. Only some minutes stroll from Buckingham Palace, and 100 meters from Clarence Home, the present house of King Charles III.
Inform us about its historical past.
A rustic home within the coronary heart of London, with Inexperienced Park and St James’s Park as its again backyard, DUKES London’s Victorian exterior evokes a time when artists and writers rubbed shoulders with royalty in modern St. James’s, London.
Our historical past may be traced again to 1532 when King Henry VIII purchased a convent on the backside of the hill. On this space, he constructed St. James’s Palace as a looking lodge and a haven from the feckless gossip from the Palace of Whitehall. The royal household lived on this palace till the mid-Nineteenth Century. Nonetheless, British monarchs are nonetheless proclaimed from its balcony, and international ambassadors are accredited to the Courtroom of St James’s.
It was famous on the time that the courtyard, round the place DUKES stands, led to the home of Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, certainly one of King Charles II’s mistresses. After the King’s demise, our courtyard was renamed Cleveland Courtroom and contained two homes that shaped a small inn. These buildings have been demolished in 1885 and changed with what is basically the DUKES Resort of right now. The brand new constructing was initially used because the London chambers for the sons of Britain’s the Aristocracy, however after many knockdowns and rebuilds, the property turned a resort in 1908.
How would you outline the visitor expertise?
Whether or not you select to remain in certainly one of our trendy or basic model bedrooms or luxurious suites, unwind within the legendary DUKES Bar, savor our Nice British Restaurant, or embrace true English stylish with Champagne afternoon tea, we promise to all our friends an enthusiastic workforce, devoted fully to creating their time right here distinctive.
What are your favourite points of this resort?
There’s something slightly particular concerning the historical past and heritage of this property, however it’s the employees who make DUKES London a singular vacation spot. Some colleagues have been welcoming friends for over 20 years.
Who’s your goal market/who do you cater to?
We serve a wide range of guests, from locals on the lookout for the right staycation vacation spot to vacationers from abroad who want to expertise London’s wealthy heritage and modern-day vibrancy, enterprise vacationers in search of lodging in a well-connected space (that could be a stone’s throw from the opulent glitz of Mayfair) to lovers of artwork and antiques and royal lovers, who discover in DUKES the right spot within the capital.
What are your resort highlights all year long?
DUKES Gourmand Picnics throughout summer season with an aesthetic butler service in Inexperienced Park for the final word romantic expertise, or household gathering. DUKES Bar which is an iconic vacation spot by itself all yr spherical, Ian Fleming was a daily visitor, and it’s by way of this connection that the legendary James Bond martini was born. The Christmas season is all the time a magical time in St James’s space with great shows and a wide range of issues to take pleasure in with the entire household, together with indulging in our festive menus crafted by our Govt Chef – Nigel Mendham – who has been cooking AA two Rosette dishes for DUKE’s friends for 12 years, based mostly on the very best of British produce.
Which is your favourite room and why?
The Duke Of Clarence Suite: On the fifth flooring, the luxurious 65 sq. m² Duke of Clarence Suite is fantastically embellished and crammed with pure mild, that includes a spacious dwelling space with eating services for as much as 4 friends, a separate visitor bed room, and an extra visitor powder room.
The bed room features a UK Emperor dimension mattress, whereas the grand marble toilet options each a tub and a strong walk-in bathe. For bigger or non-public events, an adjoining separate Superior Room is out there on request to increase the house and create a Two Bed room Suite.
The Duke of Clarence Suite additionally advantages from its personal non-public balcony which overlooks the Royal households in addition to Inexperienced Park and the encircling space of St James’s Mayfair.
What are you able to advocate within the native neighborhood?
DUKES London is ideally situated within the coronary heart of historic St. James’s, simply minutes from London’s best eating places, most trendy retailers, thrilling galleries, fabulous theatre productions, and plenty of Royal Warrant Holders, similar to Truefitt & Hill for a King worthy grooming session, Lock & Co. house of the best hats, Berry Bros. & Rudd certainly one of Britain’s oldest distilleries with over 300 years of historical past, Paxton & Whitfield for these eccentric cheese lovers, to call a number of. Buying on Jermyn Avenue, Fortnum & Mason, and the unique Burlington Arcade are recognized to be paramount to an final lushness expertise in their very own proper.
Location
DUKES London sits conveniently within the historic space of St. Jame’s near neighboring Mayfair and Piccadilly, in addition to the sights of London together with Inexperienced Park, Hyde Park, Regent Avenue, and The Mall to call a number of. By automotive, the resort is 16.4 miles from London Heathrow, 33.2 miles from London Gatwick, and solely 9.5 miles from London Metropolis Airport.
Rooms & Suites
An unique and totally distinctive resort, it exudes previous English allure and may be very a lot a rustic home within the coronary heart of London, the place employees endeavors for it to really feel like a house away from house. Donning a Victorian exterior, the allure continues with elegant rooms and suites that merge antiques with the newest know-how for model and comfort.
It is very important the resort that every visitor room and suite is a welcoming and enjoyable setting — an oasis from the hustle and bustle of busy London. As anticipated, the interiors are consistent with the heritage of the property and so, are elegant and understated in aesthetic.
In relation to the bedrooms there’s a selection of: Superior, Deluxe, and Govt Rooms together with the Suites. All characteristic both a double, king, or twin mattress full with 400 thread depend mattress linen and Turkish cotton bathrobes, together with a marble en-suite toilet with Penhaligon’s toiletries. As for the know-how, there are flat-screen TVs, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth audio system with USB sockets. All visitor rooms can be found throughout all of the flooring of the resort, to allow them to accommodate a visitor’s private desire. Additionally, some visitor rooms characteristic walk-in showers and balconies, which may also be requested and are topic to availability.
All suites include a brilliant king mattress with designated dwelling areas and bedrooms giving it an actual homely feeling. As with the visitor rooms, there are marble en-suite bogs, fantastic mattress linen, and toiletries. Most of the suites are interconnecting, making it potential to hyperlink with one of many Superior or Deluxe Rooms — perfect when touring with household or bigger teams. An actual spotlight is The Duke of Clarence Suite that’s situated on the fifth flooring; spacious and ethereal, it additionally encompasses a balcony and an extra visitor powder room.
F&B
Cut up into 5 choices there’s one thing for everybody, whether or not you desire a world-famous martini, afternoon tea, or some classically British delicacies. Simply off the foyer is DUKES Bar, a famend bar that serves up an notorious martini, due to Bar Supervisor Alessandro Palazzi. A favourite with Sir Ian Fleming, it’s thought that Bond’s “shaken, not stirred” Vesper martini is all all the way down to this bar. Additionally on the bottom flooring is the Drawing Room which requires a conventional afternoon tea. Then it’s onto the secluded, open-air Cognac and Cigar Backyard which is in partnership with Rémy Martin and makes for an ideal spot for after-dinner drinks and a fantastic cigar.
For all-day eating that prides itself on high quality, seasonal produce inside a relaxed setting e book into the Nice British Restaurant (GBR). Providing British dishes with a contemporary twist, with all the things from fillet steak to monkfish, Yorkshire free-range hen, and Cumbrian lamb. The house additionally dons a 20-seat non-public eating room and a 7-seat bar for mild bites and cocktails.
Lastly, for one thing to sit up for, DUKES London additionally places on decadent picnics within the park which are specifically ready by the Nice British Restaurant. Select from close by St. James’s Park or The Inexperienced Park as the placement and take alongside the resort’s hamper which accommodates a number of picnic meals, together with a rug and cutlery. There are numerous picnic choices to cater for all; Perrier-Jouët for the Champagne lovers, Basic, Vegetarian, Vegan, Kids’s, Afternoon Tea, and sure, there’s even an possibility for a pampered pooch.
DUKES London
Tackle: 35 St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NY
Instagram: DUKES London
Phone: 020 7491 4840
Web site: